Nadur Youngsters open title defence in winning fashion

Victoria Hotspurs take bragging rights in derby

Nadur Youngsters opened their title defence in style following a comfortable victory over Xagħra United while Victoria Hotspurs took bragging rights against city rivals SK Victoria Hotspurs last weekend.

Nadur Youngsters registered a 3-0 win over Xaghra United in their first match of the championship with goals that only arrived during the final stages of the encounter despite their supremacy throughout the 90 minutes.

The Youngsters were unlucky on two separate occasions during the first part of the match as attempts from Andrea Debrincat and Gennaro Hili were stopped by the crossbar.

As time passed, Xagħra operated with sporadic breaks and on at least two occasions Nadur goalkeeper Steve Sultana denied substitute Etienne Xiberras and Francesco Attard.

Nadur’s efforts were rewarded nine minutes from time when they opened the score through a header by substitute Gabriel Farrugia.

Farrugia struck again on 87 minutes when he fired the ball home with a fierce volley. 

Nadur sealed the points a minute later through a low drive by Ederson Bruno Domingos.

Victoria Hotspurs scored two goals in each half to overcome SK Victoria Wanderers 4-1 in the first derby of the season.

The Hotspurs were in command and the Wanderers never seemed in a position that they could recover the deficit.

The former Gozitan champions opened the score on 28 minutes.

Nicholas Vella was adjudged to have handled the ball inside his own area and from the resultant penalty Rodrigo Ost Dos Santos drilled the ball home.

Two minutes later, the Hotspurs doubled the score with a close-range shot by Shaun Attard.

Eleven minutes into the second half, the Wanderers could have re-opened the match when they were awarded a penalty for a handball infringement from Daniel Farrugia.

But Audgustine James Obaje’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Daniel Spiteri. 

Victoria Hotspurs added a third goal on 68 minutes through a curling shot by Christian Mercieca. 

The Wanderers pulled a goal back on 74 minutes with a low drive by Obaje.  Three minutes later, the Hotspurs sealed the win with a low shot by Henrique De Souza Maciel.

GFA Division Two

In the opening match of the GFA Division Two, Munxar Falcons registered a handsome 7-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs.

Munxar seem determined to make up for their poor showing last season.

The Falcons surged into a two-goal lead courtesy of Luke Attard (17) and Neville Haber (36). 

Munxar dominated the second period and scored five times through a brace by Ayesller Carvalho (49, 79) and substitute Steve Dimech (71, 88), as well as a goal by Robert Grima (81).

In the other match from Match Day One, Qala Saints turned defeat into victory after edging Għarb Rangers 3-2.

This was a match between two sides who are aiming to be challenging for promotion and in the end it live up to the expectations. 

Għarb opened the score with a good shot by Luke Attard on 24 minutes but Ralph Ebube Okpokwu levelled matters on 33 minutes. 

The Rangers regained the lead second just before half-time with another goal scored by Luke Attard (45).

Qala fought back and scored a second equaliser through Okpokwu on 67 minutes.

Għarb were reduced to ten men on 80 minutes when Ruben Zammit was sent off.

Qala Saints made the most of their numerical advantage as on 86 minutes Okpokwu completed a fine display when he rammed home the winner and completed his hat-trick.

NEXT FIXTURES

SATURDAY

BOV GFA Cup Preliminary Round

Kerċem Stadium

Zebbug R. vs Munxar F.             12.30

GFA Division One

Gozo Stadium

Kercem vs Oratory Youths       15.00

SUNDAY

Kerċem Stadium

BOV GFA Cup, Preliminary Round

Kercem Ajax Stadium 

Għajnsielem vs Victoria H.       12.30

GFA Division One

Xewkija T. vs Sannat L.              15.00